Flu season returns every year, but its timing and severity can be unpredictable. The West Central Health District is launching its “Don’t Let Flu Knock You Out” campaign to encourage residents to get their annual flu vaccine and protect themselves, their families and their communities from serious illness.

Everyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, should receive a flu vaccine each year. Flu vaccination is the best protection against seasonal influenza and can lower the risk of flu-related illness, hospitalization, complications and death.

“Flu can be much more serious than a few days of feeling sick,” said Colethia Moore, RN, BSN, District Nursing and Clinical Director for the West Central Health District. “Getting vaccinated is a simple and important step residents can take to reduce their risk of severe illness while also helping protect the people around them.”

During the 2024-2025 flu season, vaccination prevented an estimated 10 million flu illnesses, 5 million medical visits, 180,000 hospitalizations and 12,000 deaths nationwide, according to the

West Central Health District

Serving Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor and Webster Counties Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Studies have also shown that flu vaccination can reduce the risk of visiting a doctor for flu by 40% to 60%.

Although the flu vaccine may not prevent every case of influenza, it can make the illness less severe among people who become infected. Among vaccinated adults hospitalized with flu, intensive care unit admissions decreased by 59%, and patients spent fewer days in the ICU compared with unvaccinated patients. Vaccination has also reduced children’s risk of admission to a pediatric intensive care unit for flu-related illness by almost 75%.

Flu vaccination is especially important for pregnant people and their babies. Vaccination during pregnancy can reduce the risk of flu-related emergency department and urgent care visits. It can also help protect infants during their first months of life, when they are too young to receive a flu vaccine themselves.

Residents should remember: • Everyone 6 months and older should receive a flu vaccine every year, with rare exceptions. • Flu vaccination can reduce the risk of illness, medical visits, hospitalization and death. • Even when vaccination does not prevent infection, it can reduce the severity of flu and its complications. • Flu vaccines may be given at the same time as other recommended vaccines. • Getting vaccinated can help protect loved ones and others who may be at greater risk for serious flu complications. “Because every flu season is different, we cannot predict exactly how severe it will be,” Moore said. “The best way to prepare is to get vaccinated before flu begins spreading widely in our communities. Even if the vaccine does not prevent every illness, it remains our strongest protection against severe flu and its complications.”

Flu vaccines are available through health departments across the West Central Health District. Residents should contact their local county health department for information about vaccine availability, eligibility, cost and appointments.

For more information or to locate a health department, visit www.westcentralhealthdistrict.com or call 833-337-1749.